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Bloodmobile coordinator retires after 15 years

By Jan RahnManaging Editor

With mixed emotions, Marilyn Regier, R.N., accepted a certificate from the American Red Cross and shared a cake in her honor at last Thursday’s blood drive at the New Life Fellowship Church in Grant. After serving as bloodmobile drive coordinator for 15 years, Regier’s duties will be performed by Deb Marshall and Pastor Vince Carrig who will co-op the position. Regier felt she had some big shoes to fill when she took over as coordinator in July 1994. She was filling the role of two very experienced medical personnel—Katie Carlson and Alberta Colglazier. Regier said she was donating blood the day Carlson sat down and told Regier she’d been praying about who could fill the position. “Between Katie Carlson and God, I didn’t have too good a chance!” said Regier. She soon filled the role Carlson had for 20 years. “Grant has been such a tremendous community to work with over the years,” said Regier, explaining how she couldn’t believe how great the people were to work with. “It has been a very enriching experience,” she said. There is a tremendous spirit of cooperation, and being able to make contact with people on a personal level because they are already someone known from the community makes a big difference, said Regier. “In a rural community, we depend on each other,” she said. Although serving as coordinator of the bloodmobile was very important and extremely satisfying to Regier, she felt she needed to pass the responsibility along to others who had more time to contribute. She feels her other responsibilities were encroaching on her ability to continue the task at the same high level of performance. Regier is confident Pastor Vince and Deb Marshal will do a superb job in coordinating the bloodmobile. They decided to take on the position since it is held at the church and they felt it would be a great opportunity to serve the community in another capacity.